Who is Michael Simpson? Pete Burns’ ex husband and the other love of his life – here’s what we know

The couple got together in 2006, while Pete was still married to his ex-wife, and entered a civil partnership a year later

Revealed

By ALANA MOORHEAD

25th October 2016, 10:55 am

Updated: 1st November 2016, 12:49 pm

AFTER the tragic news yesterday that singer Pete Burns has passed away, we take a closer look at his personal relationship with his ex-husband, Michael Simpson.

Some of you might recognise Michael Simpson from Channel 4's Wife Swap, when the pair appeared on the show - but what else do we know about him? Here's all the information you need.

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Following the news of Pete Burns' death, we take a look at his ex-husband Michael Simpson

Who is Michael Simpson?

Michael Simpson was Pete Burns' lover for a few a years and went on to be his husband, he has also been referred to as the Celebrity Big Brother contestant's other love of his life.

Speaking of their relationship, Pete told The Guardian in 2007: "We would be a lot better if we were blind because then we could fall in love with the spirit of the person as opposed to what they look like.

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Michael Simpson was Pete Burns' lover and went on to be his husband, the CBB star referred to him as the other love of his life

"But appearances do matter and because I had never formulated crushes on anyone I felt highly inadequate when I met Michael. His looks are the cover for the best book I've ever read.

"Sometimes he criticises himself and I ask 'how can you? You're the most perfect thing I have ever seen.'"

She said that she was “very proud” of Pete and speaking in 2006, she explained: “We’ve been separated for a year. It was time to move on and we’re still best friends.

Redferns

Pete and Lynne were married until 2006, but remained close friends despite his relationship with Michael

“We hadn’t drifted apart – we’re still as close as we ever were.

“We just needed a change. It was a time when mutually we had to grow in different directions.”

Pete Burns looked completely different when he was in Dead or Alive

How long were the couple with each other?

Shortly after Pete and Lynne's divorce, the Wife Swap star and his partner announced their engagement on February 9 2006 during Channel 4's Richard and Judy show.

During the show the happy couple flashed their matching engagement rings, designed by the iconic British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.

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After his divorce with Lynne, Pete and Michael announced their engagement on Channel 4's Richard and Judy

Pete and Michael completed their civil partnership on July 6 2006 but the pair sadly split just 10 months later.

In 2008, Pete was quoted by The Mail as saying: “Surely marriage is throwing anchor and saying, ‘This is where I’m staying, I’ve made my choice and this is all I want because I’ve been on the up and down escalator, through the revolving door and I want to stand still.’ That’s what I expected.”

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Pete and Michael entered a civil partnership on July 2006 but after just 10 months they split, but they still remained close until his death